HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/20/1977CITY COUNCIL
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
,[ 26379 Fremont Road
ar Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, July 20, 1977
cc: Reel 104, Side 1, Tr. 1, 001-1643
Mayor Keith Brown called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at
7:35 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall:
A. ROLL CALL:
Present: Council Members Cheney, Hillestad, McReynolds, Proft, Mayor Brown
Staff: City Manager Robert Crowe, City Engineer Alec Russell, Engineer/
Planner John Markl, Commissioner Perkins for Planning Commission,
City Clerk Norma Hislop
Press: Ms. Maureen Mackey, Town Crier
B. CONSENT CALENDAR:
At the request of City Clerk Norma Hislop, Item 1 was removed for separate
t consideration.
�r MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Proft moved, seconded by Councilwoman
Hillestad, and unanimously carried to approve the remaining items on the Consent
Calendar, specifically:
2. Approval of Warrants: $105,801.91.
3. Motions for Adoption: Granting time extensions for filing tentative maps
for the following:
a) LANDS OF FEISTEL, File #TM2063-77 to 9/11/77.
b LANDS OF HAWLEY, File #TM2064-77 to 9/11/77
c LANDS OF GIGLI, File #TM2059-77 to 8/16/77
d) LANDS OF HUTCHINS, File #TM2-53-77 to 9/11/77
Setting August 3, 1977 as date for hearing requests for tentative map
approval for the following:
a) LANDS OF DICKINSON, File #Th12056-77
b) LANDS OF LAND RESOURCES, File #TM2054-77
4. Resolutions for Adoption:
a) Resolution #1045 ordering the reduction of Assessment #517, S.A.D.#9.
b) Resolution #1046 directing execution and delivery of Quitclaim Deed
[ and accepting a grant deed and ordering recordation thereof.
�r c) Resolution #1047 setting time and place of hearing proposed amendment
to text of Zoning Ordinance and adoption of negative declaration
relative to conditional uses, to allow for Town Hall Administrative
facility.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - July 20, 1977
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION:
1. Approval of Minutes: July 6, 1977
City Clerk Norma Hislop requested that the Minutes of July 6, 1977 be
amended to reflect on page 6, Item 3, the vote on Councilman McReynolds
motion relative to the Conditional Use Permit for the Daughters of Charity,
which had been unanimously approved by roll call vote.
The City Clerk also noted that on page 8, under GENERAL ORDERS, the subject
of discussion had been omitted. She stated that it should be noted that
the subject concerned a request for an Encroachment Permit for an existing
fence by Mr. and Mrs. Ray Markham, Summitwood Road. Council concurred with
the corrections as noted (above).
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilwoman Hillestad moved, seconded by Councilman
Proft and unanimously carried to Approve the Minutes of July 6, 1977 as amended
(above).
C. SPECIAL REPORTS:
1. Reports of Standing Committees: None
2. Reports of Ad Hoc Committees: None
E 3. Presentations from the Floor:
�r a) Mr. Walter D. Chronert, President, Los Altos Chamber of Commerce re
request for financial support.
Mr. Chronert addressed Council regarding their recent letter requesting
that the Town contribute to the financial support of the Chamber to assist
them in meeting rising operational costs and funding for their sponsored
events such as the Schoup Park Concerts, Soccer Championship, and the
4th of July celebration. He noted that the Town had worked closely together
with the City of Los Altos since both cities incorporated, and at one time
the Town had been a financial supporter of the Chamber's efforts. He
cited services given to residents, including community inquiries, local
map distribution, and work opportunities for youth.
Staff noted that the Chamber of Commerce had always been very helpful in
answering letters of inquiry regarding the surrounding communities by
out of Town/State persons thinking of relocating, as well as persons
referred to the Chamber for various types of information.
Council discussed with Mr. Chronert the Chamber's fund raising efforts,
the amount contributed by the City of Los Altos, and other possible sources
of financing. In response to Councilman Cheney's statement that the
nature of the Chamber of Commerce seemed disparate from that of the Town
because of its'residential nature, Councilwoman Hillestad noted that many
professional people belonged to the Chamber, as well as businessmen.
After discussion, Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by Councilwoman
Hillestad, to appropriate $1,000.00 from the unappropriated fund reserve
to join the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce. Motion carried unanimously
by roll call vote.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - July 20, 1977
Before proceeding with the order of business, Mayor Brown called attention to
the new display in the Chambers exhibited by the Town's Historical Society, and
which contained several historical photos of the Town.
Presentations from the Floor (Cont'd):
b) Mrs. Elsa Pering, Via Ventana: Stated that she was still unhappy with the
recreational vehicle parking in her area, noting that she had written the
City Attorney in this regard. Council Members discussed the problem which had
been brought to their attention at a previous meeting. Councilman McReynolds
asked if the owner of the vehicle had been personally contacted, to which Mr.
Crowe stated he had not. Concensus was that the owner should be contacted to
determine whether some solution might be found to Mrs. Paring's complaint, and
that further action should be postponed until the City Attorney had a chance
to give his opinion on the matter.
D. STAFF: REPORTS, CORRESPONDENCE & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. City Clerk - Letter of Resignation.
Mayor Brown noted the letter of resignation received from City Clerk Norma
Hislop effective August 12, 1977 in order to accept the appointment of City
Clerk for the City of Santa Cruz, California. For the record, he read Mrs.
Hislop's letter in which she thanked the present, as well as past, members of
the Council for their support and in allowing her to attend continuing education
classes. She noted that the experience received in her four years employment
with the Town had been much broader than what she would have received in another
City, and felt that this would assist her in meeting the challenges of her new
position. She also stated that she wished the residents and the Town continued
success.
Council Members accepted Mrs. Hislop's resignation with regret and wished her
success in her new position. Commissioner Perkins thanked her for her assistance
to the Planning Commission, and Mrs. Lou Cox, Conejo Court, also commented on
her efforts and services.
The following items were taken out of order as they appear on the Agenda, but will
appear in the Minutes in the same order listed for the purpose of continuity:
E. SPECIAL ORDERS:
1. Consideration of proposed Agreement between Town and William Spangle &
Associates for planning services:
Mayor Brown indicated that this matter had been under discussion at a previous
meeting and as a result the matter had been referred to the City Attorney to
draw up a proposed Agreement which was before Council this evening. At his
request, City Manager Robert Crowe gave a short synopsis of the purpose of the
proposed Agreement, which was to provide for a review and update of the Town's
General Plan, including those specific areas necessary to bring the Municipal
Code and General Plan of the Town into conformance. Mayor Brown noted that State
Law required that cities review their Plans periodically also.
In response to Councilwoman Hillestad, Mayor Brown stated that a completed
report should be submitted to Council within six weeks of commencement, and
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - July 20, 1977
SPECIAL ORDERS (Cont d):
Proposed Agreement for Planning Services (Cont'd):
that Mr. George Mader would be working with the Committee, which had been
approved by Council at a previous meeting.
Commissioner Perkins clarified that the report to be submitted to Council
in six weeks would be a report on the Committee's recommendations on the
work to be done only.
Following discussion, Councilman Proft moved, seconded by Councilman McReynolds,
to adopt Resolution #1048 approving and authorizing execution of Agreement
between Town and William Spangle and Associates for Planning Services. Motion
carried by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Council Members Hillestad, McReynolds, Proft, Mayor Brown
NO: Councilman Cheney
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
2. Request for Tentative Map approval, ROLLING HILLS SUBDIVISION, File #
TM2057-77:
City Manager Robert Crowe stated that the Planning Commission had recommended
[ approval of subject tentative map with conditions before Council for
4br consideration. He also noted that the two variances requested, appearing next
in order on the Agenda this evening had also been recommended for approval in
conjunction with the proposed tentative map.
Mr. John Seiger, Old Trace Road, applicant, addressed Council relative to the
reasons why the variances were being requested.
Council discussion ensued between Council Members, applicant, Staff, and Planning
Commissioner Perkins regarding recommended conditions, with Councilman McReynolds
expressing concern as to how Condition 15 could be legally accomplished. This
condition dealt with a certification appearing on the recorded map that no
variances could be granted on Lots 1, 2, 3, or 4 for any purpose at any time
in the future. Commissioner Perkins stated that it had been the Commission's
feeling that those lots traversed by a creek should not have that fact as a
basis for granting a variance in the future.
Discussion also concerned the size of the barn in question for which the
variance was being requested, as well as the reasons for the request for
variance for the swimming pool.. In response to Council's concerns relative to
Condition #15, Mr. Seiger stated that he would be amenable to a wording change
in this condition if the City Attorney deemed it necessary.
Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hitlestad to approve the
tentative map, ROLLING HILLS SUBDIVISION, File #TM2057-77, subject to the
conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission. Motion carried by the
following roll call vote:
AYE: Council Members Cheney, Hitlestad, McReynolds, Mayor Brown
NO: Councilman Proft
ABSTAIN: None
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - July 20, 1977
�. SPECIAL ORDERS (Cont'd):
3. Request for Variances from setback lines, ROLLING HILLS SUBDIVISION:
a) for existing barn, File #VAR.7039-77:
Mr. John Seiger, applicant, stated that the developers of the subdivision
wished to keep the barn for aesthetics and because it was in keeping with
the rural atmosphere of the Town. He stated that the barn could not be
moved because it had no foundation. If Council did not favor this request,
it would have to be torn down and a barn built in another area on the
property. After discussion, the following motion was made:
Councilman McReynolds moved, seconded by Councilman Cheney, to approve the
variance request for an existing barn, ROLLING HILLS SUBDIVISION, File #
VAR.7039-77, subject to conditions as recommended by the Variance and Permit
Commission. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYE:. Council Members Cheney, Hillestad, McReynolds, Mayor Brown
NO: Councilman Proft
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
b) for existing swimming pool, File #VAR.7040-77:
Mr. Seiger, applicant, noted that a Variance had been granted for a pool to
be constructed within the setback lines of this property by a former owner;
however, in surveying, it was found that an error had been made and the pool
encroached further into the setback lines than had been allowed. The request
before Council was to ensure that no violations would be found because of this
error.
Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hillestad, to approve the
variance request for an existing swimming pool, ROLLING HILLS SUBDIVISION,
File #VAR.7040-77, subject to conditions as recommended by the Variance & Permit
Commission. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
4. Request for Tentative Map approval, LANDS OF TRAFICANTI, File #TM2055-77:
City Manager Robert Crowe noted that at a previous meeting, Council had clarified
the status of certain portions of Voorhees Drive as it pertained to subject
property; however, because no recommendation on the tentative map had been
forwarded from the Planning Commission, the matter was referred back to them
for further action and recommendation. The map wasnow before Council along with
recommended conditions of approval.
Councilman McReynolds moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hillestad, to approve the
tentative map, LANDS OF TRAFICANTI, File #TM2055-77, subject to the conditions
as recommended by the Planning Commission. Motion carried unanimously by roll
call vote.
MOTION SECONDED & CARRIED: Councilwoman Hillestad moved, seconded by Councilman
McReynolds to declare ROLLING HILLS SUBDIVISION, #TM2057-77, and LANDS OF TRAFICANTI,
#TM2055-77 as being categorically exempt from the requirements of the California
Enviromental Quality Act (CEQA). Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - July 20, 1977
V SPECIAL ORDERS (Cont'd):
5. Consideration of Environmental Impact Report, SADDLE MOUNTAIN ESTATES,
File #TM2060-77:
Mr. Tim Miller, representing the firm of Earth Metrics, who had prepared the
Environmental Impact Report, was present to answer any questions Council
might havewith regard to the Report. Commissioner Perkins stated that the
Report had been reviewed by the Commission, as well as other reviewing Agencies,
and that the comments of all these bodies were contained in the addendum to
the EIR Report. He noted that most of the issues and concerns raised had been
addressed in this addendum.
Discussion of the Report centered dominantly on the noise and other types of
pollution of the property resulting from IS280, and the mitigating measures
suggested for the lots most directly affected by the freeway. Councilman
McReynolds questioned an apparent discrepancy in the statistics presented with
regard to the traffic volume count. Because the design of the proposed sub-
division would be critical with regard to mitigating measures to be imposed
on the lots most closely affected by the pollution factors presented within the
Report, Councilman McReynolds felt that the traffic volume statistics were too
speculative for action by Council this evening. He stated he felt that the
Report was well presented, but that he would like to have more information in
regard to IS280 as it affected the proposed lots within the subdivision.
w Council concensus was that three measurements taken at four sites were not
sufficient to make the data statistically valid, since the noise factor was one
of the most important elements of the Report. After discussion on the noise
data, Council also discussed that portion of the Report dealing with geological
faults, questioning the types of scales used in the measurements and discussing
the active and inactive faults in the area.
Speaking from the Floor:
Mrs. Diana Miller, Vista del Valle: Suggested that noise data contained in the
CALTRANS Report on IS280 should not be used by the firm since it was not
accurate as it pertained to Los Altos Hills. Also commented that the peak hours
of traffic on the freeway were between the hours of 7-8:30 AM and 4-6:30 PM.
Mr. Frank Gigli commented that the Planning Commission had made a field trip to
the site of the proposed subdivision, and that there was no difficulty in hearing
each others conversations, although he conceded that some areas would be affected
by the freeway noise.
Councilman McReynolds moved, seconded by Councilman Proft, to continue the
acceptance of the Environmental Impact Report for Sadle Mountain Estates,
File #TM2060-77, until additional noise data is gathered with regard to IS280,
and further traffic counts were made. Motion carried by the following roll call
vote:
AYE: Council Members McReynolds, Proft, Mayor Brown
NO: Council Members Cheney, Hillestad
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - July 20, 1977
L SPECIAL ORDERS (Cont'd):
6. Request for Tentative Map Approval, SADDLE MOUNTAIN ESTATES, File #TM2060-77:
Because the Environmental Impact Report was not accepted, Councilman McReynolds
moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hillestad, to continue subject request pending
acceptance of the Report. The applicant concurred with the motion, and the
motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
F. GENERAL ORDERS & UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting:
Council concensus was to schedule the Joint Meeting on August 20th, if this
met with the Commission's approval, at the hour of 10:00 A.M. in the Council
Chambers.
2. Letter of Resignation - Traffic & Public Safety Committee:
Council accepted the letter of resignation tendered by Mr. Donald Robles of
the Traffic and Public Safety Committee, and Mayor Brown requested that Staff
bring the vacancy to the attention of the public. Mr. Crowe noted that there
were now two vacancies existing on the Committee.
3. Town Newsletter - Second Edition:
Mr. Crowe noted that Staff was preparing the second edition of the newsletter
for publication in August, and requested that Council Members contact him for
any items of information they felt should be contained therein. Councilwoman
Hillestad suggested that residents be advised of the Par course recently
Installed at Foothill College for exercise.
4. Adobe Creek Country Club:
Councilman McReynolds requested that the status of the Adobe Creek Country
Club be investigated relative to their non-profit basis for a report at the
next Council meeting.
5. Solid Waste Disposal:
Mr. Crowe reported that the 9 -Par Corporation had given notice that, effective
August 31, 1977, Los Altos Garbage Company would not be able to use that site
for dumping. He stated that the North County Solid Waste group was working on
the problem, but studies had not been completed to date with regard to potential
sites and costs. Meetings were scheduled, he stated, and a completed report
would be forthcoming sometime in August. In response to Councilman Proft, Mr.
Crowe stated that alternate sites were available, but at -a substantial increase
in costs.
G. NEW BUSINESS:
H. ADJOURNMENT:
None
Council adjourned at 11:03 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Norma J. Hislop
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